California Classics
California Classics
California Classics
10 Days Starting in San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles
Visiting: San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Golf Course, Big Sur, San Simeon, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Tour Overview
From the City by the Bay to the City of Angels, this ten-day tour takes you to the top California sights that earned the Golden State its name. Yosemite’s Cathedral Spires, Big Sur’s rugged coastline, 17-Mile Drive’s spectacular views, and San Simeon’s Hearst Castle are just a few memorable Classic California experiences. Between the bright lights of Hollywood and the high style of Beverly Hills to the grapevines in wine country and farm-to-table cuisine in the Central Valley, this encompassing California vacation weaves in plenty of kickback time with visits to a Sonoma vineyard, the quiet Danish village of Solvang, and the tony resort zip codes of Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Barbara. Don’t forget your shades! [p]
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2: San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SAN FRANCISCO City by the Bay Enjoy morning sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. [LF] Visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio. Free time this afternoon to explore the city. Ride the world-famous cable cars, shop in Union Square, or visit the Museum of Modern Art. Dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION As the song goes, you’ll leave your heart in San Francisco with a stroll through the exquisite Japanese Tea Garden. Walk the beautiful landscapes in the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. Learn about the history of the park and enjoy time to explore the five acres of native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, pagodas, and more.
Day 3: San Francisco,Excursion To Sausalito & Sonoma
Location: San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Meals Included: Breakfast
SAN FRANCISCO–EXCURSION TO SAUSALITO & SONOMA Vineyards & Views Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge this morning to Sonoma for a local vineyard tour and tasting. Continue to the charming town of Sausalito for lunch on your own before returning to San Francisco. Consider a Gold and Ghost Tour optional excursion this evening to explore San Francisco after dark. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTTASTES & TRADITIONS Cross San Francisco Bay on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to spend time in Northern California’s wine country. Venture to Sonoma with its wealth of verdant vineyards for a wine tasting. Continue to Sausalito to enjoy waterfront views and breathtaking scenery in the charming village with a large variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
Day 4: San Francisco,Yosemite National Park
Location: San Francisco, Yosemite National Park
Accommodation Name: Tenaya Lodge At Yosemite
Meals Included: Breakfast
SAN FRANCISCO–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK The Mountains are Calling Travel eastward through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. A guided tram tour provides an introduction to the history and highlights of Yosemite National Park. Free time this evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Yosemite has innumerable lakes, meadows, ice-sculpted domes, forests, waterfalls, and unspoiled alpine scenery. Descend into the 4,000-foot valley for an open-air Valley Floor Tram to explore the famous sites of El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. Here, John Muir realized, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” We think you’ll agree.
Day 5: Yosemite National Park,Monterey
Location: Yosemite National Park, Monterey
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Tenaya Lodge At Yosemite
Meals Included: Breakfast
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–MONTEREY Giants of the Land and Sea Before departing Yosemite National Park, visit [LF] Mariposa Grove, home to many old-growth sequoias. Stand in awe as you look skyward at these massive giants, one of the Earth’s largest and longest living organisms. Then, on to the California coast to Monterey, home to the famed Cannery Row. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & HERITAGE Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with history and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Once a bustling district of sardine factories, the street is a brightly painted avenue of eateries and shops that harken back to a heritage of fishermen and rich stories. In the morning, stroll along the wharf for the chance to see whales, otters, and other sea creatures in the kelp forests of the Pacific Ocean shore.
Day 6: Monterey. Excursion To Carmel
Location: Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Golf Course
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Monterey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
MONTEREY. EXCURSION TO CARMEL Cottages & Cypress Trees This morning, spend your free time visiting historic Cannery Row. Other highlights today include a visit to the resort town of [LF] Carmel with a scenic drive along the famed 17-Mile Drive. Return to Monterey for free time before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS Feel the windswept spirit of the Pacific Ocean with a spectacular drive along 17-Mile Drive to the charming haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea. See its crooked cottages and twisted trees in the popular haunt of writers, artists, and celebrities. You’ll pass by sweeping sea views and rocky shores, visit the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course for a walk on the fairway, and see the iconic Lone Cypress clinging to its rocky perch.
Day 7: Monterey,Big Sur,San Simeon,Solvang
Location: Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, Solvang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Corque
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTEREY–BIG SUR–SAN SIMEON–SOLVANG California Gold Journey south through Big Sur to San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle. Continue to Solvang for a free evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES Visit the opulent mansion of legendary newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, which houses splendid antiques, art treasures, and exotic possessions purchased at an estimated $50 million. Your guided tour shows off the highlights of the impressive 123-acre estate.
Day 8: Solvang,Santa Barbara,Los Angeles
Location: Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Meals Included: Breakfast
SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES Treasures & Traditions Explore the Danish town of Solvang and enjoy a [LF] Danish specialty at a local bakery. Then, travel through the Santa Ynez Mountains to beautiful Santa Barbara to visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Continue to metropolitan Los Angeles, the motion picture capital of the world. (B)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURAL GEM Stroll the streets of Solvang and feel as though you’ve entered a charming Danish town with picturesque buildings and shops, restaurants and windmills that create a taste of Denmark in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy a traditional Danish pastry at Mortensen’s famous bakery. TOUR HIGLIGHTHISTORY & HERITAGE Experience the beauty and history of California’s mission trail with a visit to Old Mission Santa Barbara. Soak in the stunning Spanish influence of the 1786 “Queen of the Missions” with its wrought iron, terra cotta, and carved wood. Feel the serenity amid its whitewashed walls and tile-roofed buildings below its chiming twin bell towers ringing out on the Camino Real above the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
Day 9: Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
LOS ANGELES Spend Your Day Your Way in L.A. Morning sightseeing of this gigantic metropolis takes you from Olvera Street—the oldest thoroughfare in the city—to Hollywood. See the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. This afternoon, explore more of Los Angeles with your choice of included excursions. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TAKE YOUR PICK Explore your way today with your choice of excursions: ART HISTORY After lunch, visit the Getty Center & Museum to see a vast collection of art housed within its modern hilltop complex above Los Angeles. Here, a treasure trove of masterpieces is displayed with art from the Middle Ages to the present. OR: BEACHY KEEN Take a self-guided walk along the Santa Monica Pier; ride the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel for spectacular panoramic views of the Southern California coastline.
Day 10: Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may choose to extend your time in Los Angeles and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
What's Included
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Accommodations
Stay in comfort at selected hotels including the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Hyatt Regency Monterey, Hotel Corque in Solvang, and the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles.
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Guided Tours
Enjoy guided tours of San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, and Los Angeles, featuring iconic locations like the Golden Gate Bridge, El Capitan, and Hollywood.
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Special Experiences
Experience unique moments such as a wine tasting in Sonoma, exploring the Danish town of Solvang, visiting the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and more.
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Small Group Option
Option for Small-Group Discoveries on select dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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Meals
Breakfast daily, 3 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers to ensure protection against unforeseen events.
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, room service, and other discretionary spending are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions and activities not listed in the tour itinerary are available at an additional cost.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for tour director, drivers, and local guides are not included and are at the traveler's discretion.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 3 dinners
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Yosemite National Park
Accommodation
San Francisco:San Francisco Marriott MarquisYosemite National Park:Tenaya Lodge at YosemiteMonterey:Hyatt Regency MontereySolvang:Hotel CorqueLos Angeles:Westin Bonaventure
Mode of Transport
Travel across California in a comfortable coach, with scenic drives through iconic locations such as Big Sur, 17-Mile Drive, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Notes
The Big Sur visit and coastal route are dependent on current weather and road conditions on Pacific Coast Highway 1. Explore more in Southern California on the California Classics with San Diego Extension Tour! (Tour AAE)
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodations can I expect during the California Classics tour?
Accommodations range from upscale hotels in major cities like the San Francisco Marriott Marquis and the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles to cozy lodges such as the Yosemite View Lodge in Yosemite National Park.
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Is wine tasting included in the tour itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes a visit to a local vineyard in Sonoma for a tour and wine tasting experience.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
9 Breakfast, 3 Dinner is included.
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How much free time will I have during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years and above
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, English speaking local guide available on this tour.
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Will there be an escort accomanying this tour?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.